NAGALAND: CABINET MEETING HELD TO DISCUSS STATE AFFAIRS

The Nagaland State Cabinet held a meeting on June 5 and decided to constitute a Ministerial Committee to examine the women reservation issue which has remained in limbo for several years.

It may be noted that the women’s reservation issue, among others, were focal points in the violent protests that led to the cancellation of Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in January last year.

As decided in the meeting by the ‘Stag’ filled Nagaland Cabinet, the committee will constitute G Kaito Aye, Minister as Convener with Ministers CM Chang, Neiba Kronu, P Paiwang Konyak, Jacob Zhimomi, and Advisor Mmhonlumo Kikon as members.

The meeting was held with the Advocate General, Nagaland apprising the cabinet on various matters of importance pending before the Supreme Court and the High Court.

Meanwhile, the proposed Citizenship Amendment Bill of the Government of India was also discussed. The cabinet observed that Nagaland is protected under Article 371(A) of the Constitution and the ILP Regulations. However, if the proposed amendment goes against the interests of the Nagas, the Government of Nagaland will go against such amendments and take up any such issues with the Government of India, it decided.

The cabinet further resolved to constitute a committee to study the issues relating to royalty collection on minor minerals between the Forest Department and Geology and Mining Department and amendment thereof. The committee will be chaired by Sentiyanger Imchen (IAS), Principal Secretary Municipal Affairs & Development Commissioner.

As a follow up to the meeting of the Political Affairs Committee meeting with Tribal Hohos on May 11, 2018, the Cabinet Secretary has been directed to write to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly for revival/reconstitution of the Joint Legislators’ Forum in order to strengthen the efforts being made towards the peace process.

The cabinet also discussed its April 16, 2018 decision on the constitution of the Nagaland Investment and Development Authority (NIDA) and approved the change in nomenclature to Investment and Development Authority Nagaland (IDAN) to avoid confusion with similar sounding acronym.

It further decided that while Statehood Day will be celebrated on December 1 at the Secretariat Plaza, the inauguration of the Hornbill Festival will be held in the afternoon of December 1.

Garo, Kachari and Kuki Communities will also be included for the Mini Hornbill and for Dimapur District, Naga Council Dimapur can organize a common function of all tribes in consultation with the Deputy Commissioner and tribal bodies.

Further, Mini Hornbill festivals will be held in the districts as decided by the Cabinet in its earlier meeting dated April 16.

At last the cabinet discussed and reviewed its earlier decision, dated March 8, 2018 and decided to revoke the renaming of the Indira Gandhi Stadium to the Dr T Ao Stadium.